38 Fire chief jobs in Columbus, OH


10 of the Most Popular Types of Fire Chief Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Fire Chief jobs are hiring now

To become a fire chief, you first need a high school diploma or GED certificate, though some jobs insist on having an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in fire science or a related field. In fire-specific education programs, you will study fire science and emergency first responder care to gain the skills and qualifications you need. Years of firefighting and emergency response experience are also vital to success in this job. To become a fire chief, you may need various certifications, such as hazardous material training and an EMT certification, depending on your state and local regulations.

If you are interested in a job related to Fire Chief, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.

Top Types Of Fire Chief Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Fire Chief positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.
  • Fire Fighter

    Salary range: $45,500 - $69,000

    Firefighters respond to emergency fire calls. They monitor phones and radios for emergencies, drive fire trucks and other emergency vehicles, put out fires, and find and rescue victims in burning buildings or other emergency situations. Many firefighters are also paramedics and may be called to assist on emergency medical calls.

  • Contract Fire Chief

    Salary range: $78,000 - $124,000

    Contract Fire Chief is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Contract Fire Chief jobs pay between $78,000 (25th percentile) and $124,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Contract Fire Chief job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

  • Fire Controlman Navy

    Salary range: $83,000 - $112,000

    Fire Controlman Navy is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Fire Controlman Navy jobs pay between $83,000 (25th percentile) and $112,000 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Fire Controlman Navy job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

  • Live In Overseas Fire Chief

    Salary range: $78,000 - $124,000

    Live In Overseas Fire Chief is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Live In Overseas Fire Chief jobs pay between $78,000 (25th percentile) and $124,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Live In Overseas Fire Chief job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

  • Fire Investigator

    Salary range: $54,500 - $80,000

    A fire investigator investigates the cause of fires, particularly when arson is suspected. Fire investigators examine the crime scene, process latent print samples, gather evidence using collection tools, interview witnesses, process the evidence collections, and report their findings to law enforcement agencies. A fire investigator examines the crime scene and determines how the fire started. Similar roles include arson investigator, firefighter, and forensic science technician.

  • Certified Fire Investigator

    Salary range: $54,500 - $80,000

    Certified Fire Investigator is a typical job search query Most salaries for Certified Fire Investigator jobs pay between $54,500 (25th percentile) and $80,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Certified Fire Investigator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

  • Assistant Fire Chief

    Salary range: $54,000 - $111,500

    Assistant Fire Chief is a typical job search query Most salaries for Assistant Fire Chief jobs pay between $54,000 (25th percentile) and $111,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Assistant Fire Chief job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

  • Fema Emt

    Salary range: $35,500 - $47,000

    Fema Emt is a typical job search query Most salaries for Fema Emt jobs pay between $35,500 (25th percentile) and $47,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Fema Emt job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

  • Battalion Chief

    Salary range: $84,500 - $136,000

    As a battalion chief, you are a high-ranking member of a fire department. Your rank comes with the responsibilities of managing a station that works to ensure the safety of the public. You command other firefighters, handle administrative duties, and dispatch crew members in the event of a fire. While this position is highly respected, your rank is below the fire chief and the assistant chief. The responsibilities of a battalion chief also involve training new recruits.

  • 2Nd Battalion

    Salary range: $76,000 - $114,000

    2Nd Battalion is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for 2Nd Battalion jobs pay between $76,000 (25th percentile) and $114,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for 2Nd Battalion job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.